The Message
The Revolutionary Power of Hip Hop
Ongoing Exhibit
The Message explores the evolution of hip hop from its roots in African American and Afro-Caribbean oral traditions to its current status as a globally influential cultural force. The title is inspired by the groundbreaking 1982 track by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, widely credited with introducing social and political commentary into hip hop music.
Interactive Experience
Put your MC skills to the test — Produce your own rap beat in the rap booth!
Origins and Influences
The gallery narrative begins in the late 1960s, highlighting the historical and artistic trends that shaped hip hop’s development:
- The socio-cultural environment of New York City’s South Bronx
- Urban decay in inner-city neighborhoods
- The Black Arts Movement
- Jamaican musical practices such as toasting
The Rise of Hip Hop Culture
Hip hop emerged as a youth movement in the early 1970s and gained rapid popularity in the 1980s with artists such as:
- Kurtis Blow
- Grandmaster Flash
- Run-DMC
Global Spread and Cultural Impact
In the 21st century, hip hop has become a global phenomenon, influencing fashion, language, politics, and media worldwide.
Key Themes in The Message
- Women in Hip Hop: Featuring pioneers like MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, and Missy Elliott
- Regional Hip Hop Scenes: Atlanta, Los Angeles, Memphis
- Hip Hop Moguls: Artists like Jay-Z who have expanded into media and business
Interactive Experiences
To Be an MC
Visitors can test their rapping skills in three modes:
- Rap Along: A karaoke-style experience
- Battle: Trade rhymes with a friend
- Freestyle: Create original rhymes using prompts and keywords
Hip Hop Beatmaking
Create your own hip hop beat using a wide palette of melodic and rhythmic samples. Samples are organized by region:
- Northeast
- South
- West Coast
This interactive teaches regional styles while encouraging creativity.
Experience the rhythm, the message, and the movement that changed the world.
“Rap is a form of profound musical, cultural, and social creativity. It expresses the desire of young black people to reclaim their history, reactivate forms of black radicalism, and contest the powers of despair and economic deprivation that presently besiege the black community”
– Michael Eric Dyson
Deeper Dive
TIMELINE
1970’s – Present
The exhibit traces the development of hip-hop from its inception in the 1970s South Bronx through its current evolution into a global cultural phenomenon, highlighting key moments and influential artists along the way.
Learn
The History
The Message gallery educates visitors on how hip-hop emerged as a form of expression for marginalized communities, reflecting their experiences and aspirations.
It emphasizes the genre’s significant contribution to the broader landscape of American music and culture.
LISTEN
GALLERY PLAYLIST
This playlist amplifies the voices that shaped hip-hop into a force for truth, identity, and change. These tracks reflect the movement’s roots in resistance, joy, and self-expression.
The Message is more than music—it’s the sound of communities speaking up, pushing forward, and claiming space in the world.